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Backline consistency key in Earthquakes win

Backline consistency key in Earthquakes win

The Earthquakes posted their fourth clean sheet of the season in Saturday’s grand opening of Levi’s Stadium, blanking conference-leading Seattle Sounders FC 1-0.

There were plenty of positives to take from the match – Chris Wondolowski channeling his inner John Stockon, Yannick Djalo finding the net for the second-straight game and Jon Busch’s continued heroics in goal, among them.

Maybe the most important thing to take away from the win: backline consistency.

Every team goes through their share of injury woes, but few have been as unfortunate as the Earthquakes in 2014, specifically on the backline. Offseason signing Andreas Gorlitz went down with a season-ending ACL tear against Colorado on May 7, Brandon Barklage has battled through multiple knocks, Jason Hernandez went on a two-month hiatus after a badly strained quad in the season opener against Real Salt Lake, Clarence Goodson will be in a boot for the next 6-8 weeks due to a sprained toe and both Shaun Francis and Jordan Stewart have missed games with various ailments. Center back Victor Bernardez has been a model of good health, but was MIA for six games while representing Honduras at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Long story short: Every Earthquakes defender has missed time due to injury or international duty this season.

Fortunately for San Jose, they seem to have found some consistency. Shaun Francis, Victor Bernardez, Jason Hernandez and Jordan Stewart have started three straight games together, compiling a 2-0-1 record in the process. The last time San Jose started the same group on its backline in three-straight games? August of 2013. And it’s only happened three times since the beginning of the 2013 season.

As any player or coach would tell you, winning in MLS is tough enough due to parity, lengthy travel and various other homefield advantages, but winning without a consistent back four is even more difficult. Don’t be surprised if you see more clean sheets as the defensive unit continues to gel during this period of (relatively) good health.